How Sad

A number of free day shows and events allowed for music fans to discover new acts while soaking in the sunlight outdoors at a park or sipping on beers in a bar during the day. One of the best discoveries of the week was Montreal's How Sad. A synth and rhythm-led indie rock band (who used to go by the name of Goose Hut), How Sad's infectious penchant for pop melodies is at the heart of every song and with new member Katie Lee (formerly of Braids) on hand, the band can only build and grow from here. - Huffington Post Canada

A number of free day shows and events allowed for music fans to discover new acts while soaking in the sunlight outdoors at a park or sipping on beers in a bar during the day. One of the best discoveries of the week was Montreal's How Sad. A synth and rhythm-led indie rock band (who used to go by the name of Goose Hut), How Sad's infectious penchant for pop melodies is at the heart of every song and with new member Katie Lee (formerly of Braids) on hand, the band can only build and grow from here. - Huffington Post Canada

Don't let the name fool you; How Sad maysound like a very, well, sad band. However, their song "Indian Summer" is anything but. Reminiscing about past lovers, the vocals are played, almost as a second thought, over the intensely energetic beat. Trumpets and synths are combined to create "Indian Summer", and let me tell you what: it is an absolutely PERFECT summer song. It's indie dance-pop with a tinge of rock that just makes me want to get up out of my seat and jive without a care.
How Sad are a self-prescribed indie dance pop band from Montreal. Indian Summer is their debut single, off the upcoming Indian Summer EP, which will be available on the 6th of August. - Stereo Fox

Here’s a ridiculously happy, whimsical song called “Indian Summer” from a band named How Sad. If their name is a question, the answer is clearly “uh…not sad at all” because I just skipped down the street with a big goofy smile on my face and hi-fived complete strangers in a corny 500-Days-of-Summer moment as this played through my headphones. Seriously, this thing is four and a half minutes of synth-pop gold. Also, can we appreciate how amazing this artwork is? I’m about to head down to Kinkos to get this thing blown up on 6' x 6' canvas and hang it above my bed so it’s the first thing I see every morning. Is that weird? That might be kinda weird. - Fishy Tunes

Tu entends ce réveil tonitruant qui t’extirpe de ton sommeil, ce réveil qui te rappelle combien l’année est longue et combien les vacances à venir vont être magiques ? Magiques et pour ton métabolisme - qui doit manquer d’environ 365 jours de sommeil - et pour ton petit cœur qui ne demande qu’une chose : vibrer cet été. Nous on a trouvé le morceau qui saurait pallier au peu de courage qu’il te reste pour mettre un pied devant l’autre et être productif en ces jours caniculaires, quand ton patron pense que la climatisation c’est un luxe qu’on ne peut pas t’offrir. “Indian Summer" est gai, “Indian Summer" est frais, il fait “Pssshit!" dans tes oreilles, rafraîchit ton petit corps engourdi. Ce morceau c’est le passe de la coolitude pour tout flemmard qui se respecte. On dit merci qui ? On dit merci à How Sad, qui déjà s’est fait un nom en suivant Purity Ring & les Twin Sister lors de leur tournée respective. Leur EP, qui s’annonce être l’apogée d’une indie/pop édulcorée, sera dans les bacs le 6 août. En attendant le titre est en téléchargement gratuit… L’été indien c’est un peu tôt pour en parler mais bon ce qui compte vraiment c’est l’été non ? - Frenchy Symphony

Tu entends ce réveil tonitruant qui t’extirpe de ton sommeil, ce réveil qui te rappelle combien l’année est longue et combien les vacances à venir vont être magiques ? Magiques et pour ton métabolisme - qui doit manquer d’environ 365 jours de sommeil - et pour ton petit cœur qui ne demande qu’une chose : vibrer cet été. Nous on a trouvé le morceau qui saurait pallier au peu de courage qu’il te reste pour mettre un pied devant l’autre et être productif en ces jours caniculaires, quand ton patron pense que la climatisation c’est un luxe qu’on ne peut pas t’offrir. “Indian Summer" est gai, “Indian Summer" est frais, il fait “Pssshit!" dans tes oreilles, rafraîchit ton petit corps engourdi. Ce morceau c’est le passe de la coolitude pour tout flemmard qui se respecte. On dit merci qui ? On dit merci à How Sad, qui déjà s’est fait un nom en suivant Purity Ring & les Twin Sister lors de leur tournée respective. Leur EP, qui s’annonce être l’apogée d’une indie/pop édulcorée, sera dans les bacs le 6 août. En attendant le titre est en téléchargement gratuit… L’été indien c’est un peu tôt pour en parler mais bon ce qui compte vraiment c’est l’été non ? - Frenchy Symphony

It looks like you will now have another song to add to your "drive to the beach" playlist! How Sad have released their first single from their upcoming debut EP "Indian Summer" and it is pure perfection. Although they released the track in its entirety it is almost a tease as well. Now we can't wait to hear the rest of the EP! Keep your ears peeled because the EP is due out next month. - From the Beard

I think the most basic form of creativity starts in childhood when you give a kid a pencil and some paper. I remember when I was about 6 years old, whenever we went on family vacations, I would pack a notepad and some pencils in my Power Rangers bookbag. A blank canvas meant infinite possibilities. More often than not I would draw either mountains or NBA players, but at least I knew that I had the power to sketch any figure I wanted. This song by How Sad invokes that emotion–the cliché-jerking, I-can-do-anything, life’s-a-blank-canvas emotion… whatever that is. - Sunset in the Rearview

I think the most basic form of creativity starts in childhood when you give a kid a pencil and some paper. I remember when I was about 6 years old, whenever we went on family vacations, I would pack a notepad and some pencils in my Power Rangers bookbag. A blank canvas meant infinite possibilities. More often than not I would draw either mountains or NBA players, but at least I knew that I had the power to sketch any figure I wanted. This song by How Sad invokes that emotion–the cliché-jerking, I-can-do-anything, life’s-a-blank-canvas emotion… whatever that is. - Sunset in the Rearview

HOW SAD doesn’t quite exude the feeling of an uptempo, feel-good band, but their debut single certainly does. Aside from their very inaptly titled band name, the Montreal group have given us a joyful pop ballad to add to our summer playlist. The song, “Indian Summer,” shares many key elements to other synth-pop jams, but what makes it so special is its heavily synthesized vocals. To add to this, the band have included some sweet n’ sugary keys and a number of incredibly catchy lyrical hooks. When combined, these essential ingredients create a bubbly and infectious product, perfect for enjoying by the pool. - Indie Current

Montreal synth poppers How Sad began life as many indie bands do: by recording a handful of songs in their bedroom and trying like hell to get them heard. Having already played gigs with more established acts like Purity Ring, Twin Sister, and Rich Aucoin, the band are well on their way to expanding their scope outside of their native Canada.

That’s due in no small part to their inspired live show, which sees them wailing over sampled beats and beating the bejesus out of their drums. Reeling in those theatrics, the group uses downbeat lyrics and frenetic pop rhythms to explore the chasm between intimate narration and pop exaggeration on their debut EP, Indian Summer, due out on August 6th.

For a taste of the EP, the band has unveiled its title track. Beginning with softly vibrating synths and crooning falsetto vocals, the number sways between the subdued glitz of reined-in synth-pop and the campfire intimacy of bedroom recordings. At times radiating technicolor swirls of twinkling synths and heartstring-tugging melodies, “Indian Summer” feels like a watercolor sunset, all brightly smeared streaks and warm, enveloping hues. - Consequence of Sound

Montreal synth poppers How Sad began life as many indie bands do: by recording a handful of songs in their bedroom and trying like hell to get them heard. Having already played gigs with more established acts like Purity Ring, Twin Sister, and Rich Aucoin, the band are well on their way to expanding their scope outside of their native Canada.

That’s due in no small part to their inspired live show, which sees them wailing over sampled beats and beating the bejesus out of their drums. Reeling in those theatrics, the group uses downbeat lyrics and frenetic pop rhythms to explore the chasm between intimate narration and pop exaggeration on their debut EP, Indian Summer, due out on August 6th.

For a taste of the EP, the band has unveiled its title track. Beginning with softly vibrating synths and crooning falsetto vocals, the number sways between the subdued glitz of reined-in synth-pop and the campfire intimacy of bedroom recordings. At times radiating technicolor swirls of twinkling synths and heartstring-tugging melodies, “Indian Summer” feels like a watercolor sunset, all brightly smeared streaks and warm, enveloping hues. - Consequence of Sound

How Sad is potentially the most inaptly titled band of all time. The Montreal synth-pop outfit have followed up shows with Purity Ring, Twin Sister and others with their debut single, the smooth-as-syrup “Indian Summer.” The track — off their debut EP of the same name — is a polished gem. “Indian Summer” should be covered in shrink-wrap and taken to a museum to be displayed as an exemplar for what a summery pop anthem should be. While it might be a tad early to refer to “Indian Summer” as indie synth-pop’s equivalent to Michaelangelo’s David, it’s not a stretch to proclaim it as a frontrunner for song of the year. Have a listen below. - All Things Go

Yesterday, our friends over at Consequence of Sound premiered the new song from How Sad, appropriately called “Indian Summer”. An intensely fun amalgamation of glam vocals, layered synth lines and a warm, slow instrumental build, this band’s music pretty much makes us the opposite of sad (they’re definitely one of our new favorites). So, hurry up and listen to the song above, which is the title track from the band’s upcoming debut EP dropping in August (which you can pre-order here)! - The Wild Honey Pie

Yesterday, our friends over at Consequence of Sound premiered the new song from How Sad, appropriately called “Indian Summer”. An intensely fun amalgamation of glam vocals, layered synth lines and a warm, slow instrumental build, this band’s music pretty much makes us the opposite of sad (they’re definitely one of our new favorites). So, hurry up and listen to the song above, which is the title track from the band’s upcoming debut EP dropping in August (which you can pre-order here)! - The Wild Honey Pie

HOW SAD WILL MAKE YOU VERY HAPPY [PREMIERE]
Danielle Cohen April 30, 2013

HOW SAD WILL MAKE YOU VERY HAPPY [PREMIERE]

We’re totally pining for the up-tempo, Montreal-bred How Sad, and feeling, well, everything but sad about it. This is why we’re incredibly pleased to introduce the threesome’s punked-out summer track, “Hot Blur”. Trust us, you don’t want to go a minute longer without it. It’s beautifully freeing, it’s juvenile, and it knows you better than you know yourself.

The band’s cloudy, tech-pop beats seem to murmur of romance, spirited youth, and rebellious release, all the while alluding to an undying optimism. Not surprisingly, “Hot Blur” checks in with just the right amount of carefree (borderline teenage) nostalgia, taking us back to the good-ole days of hidden faux-lovers, half-cigarettes and escapes. Not to mention, of course, there’s nothing like a 3.5-minute magical slew of insanely relatable, affirmative lyrics to get our day going, and going really well.

With deeply-muffled and raw vocals, reminiscent of The Killers, and with more instrumental-twists than any electro-song, “Hot Blur” has the right kind of tricks up its sleeve to make you wonderfully dazed and dizzy. Simply put, this track is our newest one-stop shop for grabbing the best in airy, electro beats, old-school ‘tudes, and the kind of popsicle-melting dream-pop that’ll have you orbiting in summer-space. - The Wild Honey Pie

I also recently said, publicly, that Montreal trio Goose Hut is the next Arcade Fire. No pressure, guys. - Cult MTL

They won me over pretty quickly and were one of the better laptop-reliant bands I've seen in a while. All three members sang, two played drums (one of whom also played keyboards) the main vocalist/guitarist flung his arms out like he was trying to fly whenever he wasn't strumming. They also have ridiculously catchy songs heavy on "wee-oohs" and "whoah-ohs" as well as a charming, low-key stage presence. Also, people were dancing throughout their set. - Brooklyn Vegan

For those of us here at The Wild Honey Pie, the release of “Young Couple” from How Sad has been highly anticipated for well over a year — after the band performed the track as part of On the Mountain Season 1, we were completely enchanted with its slow-burning take on pop, seamlessly combining a driving bass part with an overlay of triumphant synths. The almost sullen vocal melodies compliment the instrumentals well, slowly growing and expanding till the song’s perfectly understated climax (after a catchy-as-hell bridge).

“Young Couple” is taken from How Sad’s upcoming album, Everything Happens — pre-order now for the 9/25 release! You’ll also get an immediate download of this track, not to mention the excitement that comes from knowing good things are headed your way. Listen and enjoy! - The Wild Honey Pie